BOATING GUIDE 2019 BOATING GUIDE 2019


Above: Barge Caroline on the Canal du Midi; Barge Luciole on the Nivernais Canal; Barge Tango on the Gironde estuary; La Bélandre; Hotels Afloat; Villefranche


CANALS & RIVERS “I have an immoderate passion for water”, author Guy de Maupassant once wrote. “For the sea, though so vast, so restless, so beyond one’s comprehension; for rivers, beautiful, yet fugitive and elusive.”


It is with this romantic filter that many of us view France’s canaux et rivières. Gliding quietly past sunflower fields; picnicking on deck with a glass of local wine; eagerly scanning the banks for stirs of wildlife… Boating is a tonic for the soul and, with thousands of kilometres of waterways criss-crossing France’s bucolic countryside, there’s ample opportunity to experience (French) life in the slow lane. To whet your appetite, one of the most popular courses is the legendary Canal du Midi. This


156 ❘ FRANCE TODAY Feb/Mar 2019


route connects Toulouse with the Mediterranean Sea at Sète, passing by the awe-inspiring medieval ramparts of Carcassonne on its way. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this glittering passage of water is a hive of activity over the summer months, when cyclists and walkers follow its towpaths, boats moor at waterfront bistros, and locks – or écluses – teem with sleek barges.


Or how about the iconic Canal de Nantes à Brest in Brittany? Split into three main segments (Loire-Vilaine, Oust-Blavet and Blavet-Hyères), it offers plenty of diverse scenery and enough navigational challenges to satisfy pilots of all abilities. Some of the main stop-off points include Redon in the Ille-et-Vilaine département, plus medieval towns like Malestroit and Josselin


in Morbihan, so you can get your fill of history en route. Of course, L’Hexagone is home to numerous waterways – both famous and lesser-known gems – and to navigate them, you need a trusty vessel. To this end, we’ve picked some of our favourite cruise boats and barges with which you can explore these magnificent ribbons of blue.


Barge Caroline


Navigating the UNESCO-stamped Canal du Midi, Barge Caroline offers an exceptionally relaxing spell in southern France. Whether your escape spans a few days (four nights minimum), a week or a fortnight, your time aboard Caroline promises to be unforgettable. On board, French and Mediterranean-style gourmet cuisine is available, pairing nicely with premium local wines from


the well-stocked cellar. Off board, there are plenty of chances to explore medieval villages, stroll around markets or enjoy various culinary delights in a local auberge. Of course, this is Languedoc, so you can also expect vineyard visits and tastings aplenty! A mild climate and calm, friendly atmosphere are the cherries on top. www.bargecaroline.com Tel. +33 (0)6 03 30 95 22 info@bargecaroline.com


Barge Luciole


Hotel barge Luciole has been deftly spiriting passengers away along the Nivernais Canal since 1976. A tranquil 174km band of water connecting the Yonne and Loire rivers, this picturesque waterway meanders through the very heart of Burgundy. Passengers can enjoy its shifting


IMAGES © BARGE CAROLINE, WILL LILEY/HOTEL BARGE LUCIOLE, BARGE TANGO, LA BÉLANDRE, HOTELSAFLOAT.COM, AJAY SURESH


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